The effect of a series of indoleamines on the potassium-evoked tritium release of previously accumulated [3H]dopamine from rat striatal slices has been investigated. The indoleamines 5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-methoxytryptamine, 5-methoxy-N,N'-dimethyltryptamine and tryptamine (10(-7) to 10(-5) M) all reduced potassium-evoked release of tritium, to a maximum of 50%. The uptake of [3H]dopamine was unaffected by these compounds. A series of 5-hydroxytryptamine antagonists were examined for their ability to reduce the inhibition of potassium-evoked tritium release induced by 5-methoxytryptamine. The relative order of antagonist potency obtained was methysergide greater than metergoline greater than methiothepin greater than cinanserin greater than cyproheptadine greater than mianserin, and was consistent with an action on 5-hydroxytryptamine receptors. It is concluded that there are inhibitory 5-hydroxytryptamine receptors located on the terminals of dopaminergic neurones in the striatum.

The rotational behaviour induced by 5-HT agonists has been investigated in rats with lesions of the dorsal raphe' nucleus (DRN). We have previously reported that 5-methyoxy-N,N-dimethyl-tryptamine (5-MeODMT) caused dose-related contralateral rotation in rats with 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine (5,7-DHT) lesions of the DRN. Similar findings are now presented for the 5-HT1 agonists 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin (8-OH-DPAT) and 5-methoxy-3 (1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridin-4-yl) (1H indole) (RU24969). In this model, in agreement with the behavioural studies, both agonists were shown to have a greater affinity for the 5-HT1 binding site when compared with the 5-HT2 binding site. Antagonist studies using selective 5-HT2 antagonists (ketanserin and pirenperone) at non-sedative doses failed to inhibit this behaviour. In contrast, the classical 5-HT antagonist methysergide caused significant inhibition of the rotational behaviour. These results suggest that 5-HT agonist-induced rotation in the rat is mediated via 5-HT1 receptors, probably located in the substantia nigra.

No abstract

The effects of the antidepressant drug viloxazine and its two optically active isomers on the passive avoidance learning deficit surgically induced in rats by bilateral bulbectomy have been determined. Fourteen consecutive daily injections of either the racemate or the S-isomer (2, 5 and 10 mg kg-1 i.p.) significantly improved the acquisition of avoidance behaviour. The R-isomer was devoid of such activity in this same dose range. The various isomeric species of viloxazine were also studied in vitro for their ability to induce a release of noradrenaline, dopamine and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) from rat brain slices. In agreement with previous reports, racemic viloxazine caused a concentration-dependent (10(-5)-10(-3 M) release of 5-MT without affecting any significant change in the release of either catecholamine. However, in contrast to the results of the behavioural studies, this phenomenon did not exhibit stereospecificity, all three isomeric forms being equally active. Thus, there is no simple relationship between viloxazine's behavioural activity in bulbectomized rats and its 5-HT releasing properties observed in vitro. The significance of these findings with respect to previously reported effects of the drug indicative of facilitation of central 5-HT mediated processes is discussed.